The British singer, who dominated last year's ceremony with a record-tying six wins, continued her winning streak by beating Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry and Rihanna to claim the first award of the ceremony for "Set Fire To The Rain" (live).

The new mom hugged Rihanna as she headed to the stage to collect her award and told the audience, "I just want to send big love to all of the other girls and all of us females doing this because we work so hard and we make it look so easy!"

Taylor Swift, already an pre-ceremony Grammy Award winner on Sunday, opened the show as the sexy ringmaster of a circus-themed set for her hit song "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," while her new tour mate, British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, teamed up with Sir Elton John for a special duet on "The A Team."

Other performers for music's big night included Justin Timberlake, Jack White and Mumford & Sons, while collaborations between blues icon Dr. John and The Black Keys, and Rihanna, Sting and Bruno Mars set the show alight.